I'm changed....

I've realized something lately. I've changed. I feel that after this 40 day fast has ended, now came a deeper understanding of the word and the Lord. I read things on FB and just get so disgusted by the sin. I have a love for the Bride to be pure and don't want it to be defiled by anything.....especially cursing or swearing. I realize I used to laugh a little here and there at stupid videos or jokes and I was guilty of that compromise. I repented for that. But now, I see people that keep compromising their walk with the Lord to be funny, or to justify their sin. I don't agree with that at all. And how can I honestly read things like that and just stay silent? How can I see status' and comments about compromise and just keep my mouth shut. The sad things is that I see others comment on them and laugh or say how funny it is, or agree with it. It makes me want to scream! How can that be ok? How can that be funny?

I've seen life change so much lately. I have my eyes opened more than before and I refuse to live a life of compromise ever again. I know I'm not perfect. I won't be perfect no matter how hard I try. But I will try anyway. I refuse to sit still and stay with my mouth shut. Where is the holiness? Where is the sanctification? Where is the faith to walk uprightly? A little fox here and there.

Song of Solomon 2:15 -   15 Catch us the foxes, The little foxes that spoil the vines, For our vines have tender grapes.

A little cuss here and there. A little perverted joke

Shout outs for Thanksgiving.

Its been a while since I got on my blog. Its well overdue! I had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends. Food came out great and we had a blast. I didn't get a chance to say what I was thankful for though cause of the holiday hussle and bussel. I figured, what better place to give a few shout outs than here on my good ole' blog. ;o) (better late than never lol)

Thankful shout outs:
*I first want to thank the three most important beings in my life. God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit. I am thankful for the life that God gave me, the salvation that Jesus gave me and the every day fellowship of the Holy Spirit. My life used to be so vile...and chaotic and because of the Lord, I am changed and will never be the same. I have nothing without HIM and with HIM, I have everything. I am so very blessed. More than I ever thought I could be. My life belongs to you Lord.
*My husband - thank you for being so real with me. You love me even though I can be quite the beautiful disaster. You have seen me at my worse and best and love me still the same. You are a man of God and I adore how you love the Lord. My life is so blessed with you in it. God graciously allows me to borrow you from Him in this lifetime and I am forever grateful. I love you
*My mom - thank you for understanding and sympathizing with my spiritual walk with the Lord. I used to think when I was younger, that my dad was my spiritual teacher...but it wasn't until I was about 19 that I changed my thoughts to believing that you are my spiritual teacher. I learn from you and you help mold me into the daughter of God that I am today. You are also the only one (besides Ralph) that understands me about my prophetic intercession. Thank you!
*My friends (Melany, Nicole, Chancia, Andrea and anyone that I still hang out with) - this is for the people in my life that I REALLY believe are my friends. Thank you for helping me believe in people again. For a long time I felt that friends came and went but no one ever stuck around. I used to think that deception and mistrust was typical in friendships (or should I say acquaintances). But thanks to you all, I can say that there are people that really do have my heart as a TRUE FRIEND. You are true, loyal friends that I can laugh with, cry with, shop with, pray with and fight with lol. Thank you!
*Family (and extended family) - Thank you for understanding me and loving me even though I am not that great at expressing it to you. We are all rough around the edges and I like that. Thank you.
*OHOP (Orlando House of Prayer) - thank you for existing! I NEVER WANT TO PLAY CHURCH AGAIN. You've taken me out of the typical churchianity and brought me into a place of prayer, fasting, worship and studying. Thanks for letting me sing to the Lord too (its my biggest passion aside from dancing). You've become my family in many ways and have given me the freedom to be myself in the truest way possible. I am always in my element here. You all here at OHOP, know the realest me. Thank you!
*Salsa Heat - Thanks Mike (and Karen) for believing in me enough to become an instructor. I found a place that I can be able to express myself through dance and then turn around and teach dancing as well. I've met wonderful people through Salsa Heat. I've been blessed and favored here. I appreciate the opportunity to be able to do something I truly love.....TEACH AND DANCE. Thank you!
*Salsa Touch (in Iowa) - thank you for the wonderful opportunity that you have given Ralph and I, to be able to travel all year long and teach everyone up in the Quad Cities. We've met wonderful people and are thankful to be a part of the Salsa Touch community. Thank you!

The Arrows- In The Words of Satan- Kinetic Typography (Finished)

Thanksgiving Dinner Preparation

Tomorrow starts the wonderful preparation for Thanksgiving. On the menu for this year we have, Appetizers: Cranberry Sauce Brie Cheese in Filo dough, Roasted Red Pepper Hummus with Pita bread, Sides: Mac-n-cheese (compliments of my MIL), Green Bean Casserole, Butternut Squash Soup, Seasoned green beans and Corn, Brown Rice and Beans (spanish style with a health kick), Salad....Main dishes: Turkey (of course) with Stuffing, and Steamed Salmon (for me cause I don't eat Turkey) and possibly baked Ham....Desserts: Cheese cake, Pumpkin Spice cupcakes, Fruit with dip and much, much more!

I'm so excited! I always start the preparation a day before, so tomorrow will consist of marinating the Turkey and preparation of the sides. I'm going to video a few moments of prep time and ingredients too. Stay tuned tomorrow for the Pre-Turkey Day fun!

Prayer of Thanks.....

Heavenly Father, I thank you for the ability and strength to endure 40 days of fasting. Thank you for speaking to me daily. Lord you are so faithful and true. You blessed me so many times during these past few weeks that I am speechless. You heard the desires of my heart and you blessed me without me asking for them. You blessed my husband with his desires as well. I am almost brought to tears right now thinking of your goodness towards me. What a privilege you have given me, to stand in your presence and to hear your voice. Thank you for dreams and visions. Thank you Lord for your loving kindness towards me when I felt tempted to break my fast. You smiled at me even when I was acting like a brat. I pray tonight as my fast is over, that you Lord, would guide me in my steps as Ralph and I walk into our destiny. Surround us with Godly people that will always keep us accountable, will always bless us with their hearts and will always be genuine towards us. You are the Most High God! There is none like You.

Down to the last few hours...

It's official. Ralph and I are down to the last few hours of our 40 day fast. At midnight tonight, we are officially done with it. Whew! this was a long fast. But what a whirlwind of events that has taken place. God has spoken, confirmed, revealed and much more! I'm so excited about it. I will actually be able to get back on facebook now lol. So I can reply to everyone who's been sending me messages and I haven't responded. Its been a beautiful experience (besides the massive food temptations out there) and I would highly recommend that everyone try it. It was a time of consecration in my little prayer closet and lots of reading and hearing the word. Hallelujah! We are barely finishing it right before Thanksgiving (talk about cutting it close). I am looking forward to eating regular food (in moderation) and watching my Charlie Brown Thanksgiving movie. I've actually seen such a huge benefit from eating "Daniel Fast Friendly" that I don't really care for eating regular food that is out there. I have more energy, I feel great. I slimmed down a few lbs (not much though sigh) and I really do love it! Its been a long 40 days of fish, brown rice, vegetables, salads, fruits, pita bread and hummus lol. Oh and we can't forget, brown rice sushi! Boy has that been a treat! Even my husband has ventured into the world of sushi (except he likes brown rice with rice paper instead of seaweed). Praise the Lord, prayer works...my husband eats sushi now. lol I will be posting pictures and videos of my Thanksgiving adventures so stay tuned!

A Period of Silence....

Ok, so I came across a part of the book I'm reading that really struck a chord with me. I've felt for some time now that the Lord was keeping silent and not answering me about certain issues. I remember my mother and I having a conversation about this very subject. She kept saying "all these years, he hasn't changed one bit, and the Lord still used him." It was as if that situation seemed to be a period of time where that person was "getting away with sin". But as I read this passage in the book, it was so clear to me what God is doing. I will quote what I read: "Therefore, when we come to chapter 3 and we come across a sustained period of silence during which the king promotes Haman, you and I want to say, "No! Don't do it. You'll be sorry. He's a bad guy. He hates the Jews. He's going to work out a murderous plan. Don't promote him."

Have you ever had a situation where you think to yourself "how can God allow this person or situation to excel above others, be promoted or be glorified, when they are so evil and clearly

Favorite Stories

One of my favorite stories is about Esther (Hadassah). For those of you that know about the book of Esther in the bible, it is by far, one of the most intriguing books that I have ever read. I love it! Most people that read it, just read a story and take it at face value. They don't see beyond the story and search out the meaning of the story and the people in it. There is a book I'm reading right now called Esther: A Woman of Strength and Dignity by Charles Swindoll. This book has gone into such detail about each character in the book of Esther. He goes into explaining why they each did what they did and so on.

Two people in this book have made a major impact on me. The first one is Queen Vashti. Here is a woman who when you first read about her, was the Queen of Persia and was summoned by the King to parade in front everyone at the Kings banquet with her crown on, but refused to come and was later banished and divorced. When you read about why she did what she did, it makes more sense and I can actually say she is one woman to admire. She was courageous and

Our Anniversary...

Wow, I can't believe that four years ago today, Ralph and I had our wedding. I remember all the drama that surrounded the wedding and that Ralph and I were so calm and nonchalant. We weren't concerned with the perfect details. We just wanted to have a beautiful wedding and get the heck out of there to fly to Punta Cana for our honeymoon. That's all we were concerned about. It was so nice that day. The weather was nice and cool when the sun was setting so it was perfect weather if you ask me. I think the day was a complete blurr once we were done with the ceremony. The reception was nice but flew right by. It was the first time in history, that my immediate family was able to take formal pictures together (minus my dad who refused to go to the wedding - still trying to figure that one out). At least my uncle was there to walk me down the aisle. I was all teary and emotional. It was such a milestone for Ralph and I. It was as if our lives finally took a turn around a corner that had been very difficult

Home Sweet Home!

Last night as we were leaving the airport and heading to our hotel, we made conversation with the other stranded individuals about how poorly Delta treats everyone. It became quite the amusing conversation to say the least. We were in good company of miserable people that had also been screwed over by such a terrible airline service. How can a cheap hotel and a $6.00 voucher for food make up for a full days worth of work that my husband had to basically swallow? I don't understand why sitting on the runway for 30 minutes at a time is so fascinating to Delta. They do it so often that it forces individuals to be late for their connecting flights. No matter how much you belly ache about it, they don't seem to give two poops about what you are going through or how it has affected your lives. All they care about is just getting you out of their face to deal with the next aggravated customer. We spent hour after hour in lines and running through airports from

Stuck in Detroit strikes again

Have I mentioned how much I loathe Delta airlines! We sat on the runway for thirty minutes and ended up missing our flights back home. At least they gave us a hotel to stay in (without bags of course). Sigh....this happened in March. Six gate changes and no actual airplane to fly home. Ugh! Delta why must you torture us?!!!!! Now we have to wait until tomorrow to go home. I'm bitter. Very bitter! (Breathe Rachel) Something good better come out of this.

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Travels.....

Salsa Touch Dance Studios, Bettendorf, Iowa

I must admit, I am thoroughly enjoying life in the travel lane. I really do enjoy being able to see different cities and places. Ralph and I have been so blessed to be able to meet new people and teach in other places than Florida. What a privilege to dance for a living and then travel at the same time. God is so amazing!

We are so excited that our wonderful friends in Iowa just opened up their own salsa studio. They are developing a great salsa community here. They make us feel so welcomed here. Everyone is so warm and inviting (although its ridiculously cold right now outside here in the Quad Cities airport). It's starting to feel like a mini-salsa heat lol. We appreciate them and always look forward to our next trip to the Quad Cities.

Uh....the only downside is flying in bad weather, missing flight, running through airports and crowded airplanes. Other than that, its great! I think I'm going to miss the cold weather the most though. We've had fireplaces, hot cups of Coffee, changing leaves and heavy coats for a weekend. It really does feel like fall weather (finally). Now we are headed back to warm Florida weather but like the old saying goes "there's no place like home".

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Decor galore

I just got home with all of my holiday decorations. I really don't know how I am going to fit all over those decorations in this small apartment, however, I am surely going to try.

I have lots of trees, lots of snowmen, lots of candles and a ton of lights. Seriously, I would put it all up, unfortunately, there is no room for most of it. So, I will have to improvise. Stay tuned for the before and after pictures of my decoration-galore adventures!

(This should get really interesting lol)

Holiday decoration shenanigans

And it starts

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Shabbat

I've had a word that keeps crossing my mind. I had absolutely no idea what it meant until I just looked it up. I've heard it ringing in my ears throughout the day (for the past couple of days in a row). I decided to look it up. And strangely at first I didn't get it. Then I realize that it has to do with the new season we've just entered into. I don't believe it applies to us as a literal meaning, but rather its a symbolic meaning. Read about it!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shabbat

Rejuvenated!

Ok, so this will be a quick little post! I woke up today feeling rejuvenated. I feel much better considering the last week or two of feeling so blah! I am looking forward to the holidays so that is definitely keeping me going as well. I had time today to sort of pull myself together and just dust off the negativity. I am excited to be on the back end of my 40 days. Gosh it feels like its been months. Sigh. Thankfully its almost over. I'm actually looking forward to the end result. I know that I've sowed many tears during this time of prayer and fasting....but now its HARVEST TIME!

On a side note, I am going to start my Christmas decorations early this year. Last year I put all my decor up and ended up pregnant and miserably sick during the holidays, so I would love to enjoy them this year. I'll post pics up of my Holiday shenanigans! Until then, I'm off to the Salsa world! Maybe I'll post a pic or two of my Maitland classes and students. ;o)

Isn't God funny?

This 40 long days is nearing its final weeks. I've come from being on fire and full of zeal and passion to a low place of dryness and quietness. So, today I went to the Song of Solomon class that I attend each week....and the Lord spoke directly to me over and over. It was pretty amusing at times. I had a moment where the teacher looks right at me while talking about John 4 which says "Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! 36 And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. 37 For in this the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’ 38 I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.”

The funny thing is that during my prayer time today (which was full of tearful pitty parties galore), I kept saying "Lord when is it my turn? When is my harvest? What about me?" That isn't vain at all (said sarcastically). I was like,

6 11

Some of you may ask whats with all the pics with numbers....go to my October posts and read the blog about numbers ;o)

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I wish...

Isaiah 55:8-12

8 “ For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD.
       9 “ For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways,
      And My thoughts than your thoughts.
       10 “ For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,
      And do not return there,
      But water the earth,
      And make it bring forth and bud,
      That it may give seed to the sower
      And bread to the eater,
       11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
      It shall not return to Me void,
      But it shall accomplish what I please,
      And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
       12 “ For you shall go out with joy,
      And be led out with peace;
      The mountains and the hills
      Shall break forth into singing before you,
      And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

As I sit here on my bed typing away...I keep thinking of this entire weekend. I am thinking of the way the Lord is and how He chooses to do things. I may not understand

More numbers while out and about

911

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Decorations a-la-snowman

Snowman with Joy (which I also love)

Snowman with Joy (tea light candle holder)

Snowman candle holder

Favorite piece so far....my snowman oil warmer!

Snowman salt and pepper shakers

I seriously love Kirklands! They have snowman galore at very reasonable prices. Here are new editions to my family! I'm going to make it a mission of mine, to collect a few more pieces this year!

Jesus the Son Of God

Just recently I FELL into a conversion with a woman at work about religion. It wasn't intentional but she started telling me about the fact that she doesn't go to church but she doesn't need to go to church  to love God. Proverbs 11:14 Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety. 

Proverbs 18:1 says "A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire He rages against all wise judgment".    

Then she went on to say that she liked that her religion "gives credit" (prays/worships is what I believe she is trying to say by giving credit ) to Mary the Mother of Jesus. And so knowing what I was getting myself into I decided to say a few things Gods word has to say about those two subject.

First I would like to say I am a student of the Word of God and I am not perfect. I don't know everything about the word but I do know what it says about certain subject, mainly because

Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy

Yes I'm super joyful. Why you ask? Because its 57 degrees outside right now. Yesssss! I love the cold. I love the fact that it is fall and now actually feels like fall weather. Sigh...oh the joy! I would love to just sit outside for a few hours. Just because. I am going to purposely go to my favorite decor store tomorrow to walk around and just enjoy the holiday season. Yes I said for no reason. I literally feel giddy thinking about it.

Psalms 96

 1 Oh, sing to the LORD a new song!
         Sing to the LORD, all the earth.
 2 Sing to the LORD, bless His name;
         Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.
 3 Declare His glory among the nations,
         His wonders among all peoples.
        
 4 For the LORD is great and greatly to be praised;
         He is to be feared above all gods.
 5 For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
         But the LORD made the heavens.
 6 Honor and majesty are before Him;
         Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.
        
 7 Give to the LORD, O families of the peoples,
         Give to the LORD glory and strength.
 8 Give to the LORD the glory due His name;
         Bring an offering, and come into His courts.
 9 Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness!
         Tremble before Him, all the earth.
        
 10 Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns;
         The world also is firmly established,
         It shall not be moved;
         He shall judge the peoples righteously.”

 
        

He's carving out a place for me

I spent time today in prayer. During my prayer time, I played my worship music and a song came on by Laura Hackett that is called "Carving out a place for me". The song is about how the Lord is carving out a place for me so that I may contain His Glory. She sings "like a dry river bed, I'm waiting for the latter rain". It was exactly what I've been feeling lately. Just like that. Like a dry river bed waiting for the latter rain. It seems like lately I've been hearing so much good news from so many people around me. News of financial provision, spiritual breakthroughs, physical blessings and so much more. It shows that prayers are being heard and the Lord is answering! On the other hand, I feel this dryness and its causing me to feel sorrow. I have loved and enjoyed hearing the Lord speak to me through dreams and in my prayer time, but lately I hear nothing. I see nothing. I dream nothing. Its painful. I'm waiting for the latter rain. My time of prayer has been filled with tears.

Psalms 39:12 - “Hear my prayer, O LORD, And give ear to my cry; Do not be silent at my tears; For I am a stranger with You, A sojourner, as all my fathers were.

I wait upon the Lord to hear His voice. A voice I love. I voice that brings me peace, joy and strength. A sound that rushes through my spirit like a mighty rushing wind.

I ask you Holy Spirit, to incline Your ear to me. Shine Your face upon me. Hear the longings of my heart that seek after You, Lord. Help me to wait upon you, that I may renew my strength, because I feel weak and weary. I pray for You to guide me to pray for those You've place upon my heart. I cry out for mercy upon our families, friends and our land. Incline Your ear Father! Thank You for Your mercy, kindness and peace. I love you Lord.

Isaiah 40:27-31 - “ My way is hidden from the LORD, And my just claim is passed over by my God”? 28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. 29 He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, 31 But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary,   They shall walk and not faint.

Moving on....

It seems as if our families are also entering into a new season in their lives. It is almost as if they just walked into a harvest of their own. Not all of them have entered into that yet, but some have. Its nice to see. It also has me wondering when our time will come. Hopefully things will change for us soon. I really do want that breakthrough in my life. I'm praying for the Lord to just show off at this point lol. I believe nothing is impossible with God because He has seen me through so many circumstances and never left me hanging. God is faithful to complete the work He started. I pray that today, or should I say night. Gees...its late!

Mark 10:27 - 27 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.”

2 Corinthians 9:8  - 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

Stopped at a red light...

9 11

Clock in my car....

7:11

My Sticker

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Voting...

Yup. I voted. I made my voice count. Right about now I'm sitting outside waiting for my hubs to vote....its raining. A friend of mine just text and said its been 40 days since it last rained. How ironic. I believe its raining to symbolize the outpouring of the harvest to come. It's like we just entered into a new season officially. Hmmm.....

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Dry and Weary Land

Yesterday was officially the half way mark of my 40 days. It was also the first time in 20 days that I felt so dry, tired and weary spiritually speaking. Well, I felt it physically too. Almost like I was unmotivated to do anything. I read the word yesterday and then during my prayer time, it was just blah. Nothing. Zero. Zilch. Normally I feel God's presence and get these awesome revelations of His word. Yeah, I got nothing! I feel like I'm in a dry spot right now. I mean, I don't feel as weary as yesterday but today isn't feeling that great either.

Psalm 42

 1 As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?

I hope and pray that today is better than yesterday. I feel so blah on days like these. To top it off, its a gloomy day outside. Believe it or not, I love days that its all cloudy and rainy. I love when the

Time on my computer...

9:11

More numbers

6 11

Facing the Giants

I'm watching the movie - Facing the Giants and noticed some numbers that I had to pause and take a picture of. I told you they are everywhere!! 8 11

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Yes...more numbers

If you haven't already read my previous blog about numbers, check out my archives!

Holidays...

Now that the awful holiday of Halloween is over, I am super excited about the upcoming holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year). Unfortunately, I have moved into a much smaller place to live, which affects the size of the kitchen I now have. Sigh...its basically the size of a shoe box now (sarcastically said). I hope someday to have a big house, a huge kitchen and lots of family and friends over for the holidays. Its in my nature, in my DNA to go all out for Thanksgiving. I love cooking and party planning. I love decorating and hosting. Its a girl thing I guess. Well, maybe its a Rachel thing too. Did I mention I absolutely love watching Charlie Brown Thanksgiving then I watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade? Its this crazy tradition I've have had by default. I remember as a kid, waking up early in the morning watching the movie or parade with the smell of Turkey wafting through the house. I just love it!

Charlie Brown Christmas

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

The Feast I wish I could be preparing this year lol

My husband also has his own holiday traditions. One being...Thanksgiving day football game. He loves it. He's such an outdoors kind of guy. He's been planning